The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-08-24

nome Win nVc In pea. lie lclJ fatner
lonely, and would willingly have ex-
changed the sound of the surf for the
sociablc snoring TO which he was accus-
toned; but none of these considerations
| kept him awake long.
II was nearly midnight when he was
startled out of sound sleep by strange
noise close to his head, as if someone
were pounding on the gun. His heart
beat furiously, and he turned cold with
fear. The sound ceased after n time, and
he heard footsteps on the sand.
General, like most of his race was firm
believer in ghosts, and as he pcered eau
tiously forth from the mouth of the gun,
he more than half expected to behold
some unearthly visitant. lie was not a
little relieved therefore, TO see an object
looking very much like a mortal man
walking along the shore. When the man
turned toward the gan again, General
drew back his head tortoise-like and slid
down into the cavernous depths. He
heard the foot steps coming nearer and
nearer. Now he was sure the man was
leaning against the gun.
Again there was that strange sound, but
this time General rightly guessed it to be
only the tapping of fingers on the iron.
Soon he heard other steps on the sand,
and voice said, "You, Jimp
"Ycs, " was the reply; "and no fun git
tin here neither.
Then followed a conversation, most of
which was too low for Generals ears.
81 tell you faint safe" at last he heard,
in louder tones. ''There's allus gyuard
on there"
Generals interest increased, and he
forgot the desire to cough which had tor
mentcd him a moment previous. The
murmur of voices continued; but, though
he listened with all attention, it was
long before he distinguished any other
words. He Judged from the sound of
the voices that the two men disagreed on
some point. At last he was sure one of
them said :"Well, we'll try t'other house.
There's quite parcel of people there,
and likely we'll git something for our
trouble"
"Are you sure there aint no dogl asked
the other.
"Yes, dead sure" was the reply. Then
the men walked away, and General was
left alone once more. As soon as he
dared move, he put out his head, and
looked up and down the beach.
All was quiet. The neighboring
beacon made broad, shining pathway
on the water; the lights on the ships in
the harbor glimmcred family.
General tried to compose himself fol
another nap, but he could not help think.
ing about what he had heard. He be.
| lieved that the men were planning to
. .,,ta hanco Int rhora opI
when he knew not.
"''Taint safe; dar's allus gyuard
on, >" he repeated. ''Dat might mean de
hotel. 'Tother place quite a parcel OF
1 pcople-no dog.
General suddenly scrambled out OF
the gun upon the sand. 1t had occurred
to him that "t'other place" must mear
Miss Bcnson's, where the pretty lady
lived whose words had so impressed hin
few days before.
"Dar'll be gyuard on dar, too, to
night" he said, as he started off dowr
the beach. ''Reckon dey didn't think I
| gun had ears"
The street was deserted, and all wa
perfectly still rs General crept noiselessl!
along on his bare feet past the hotel to
ward Miss Benson's.
1t was long, low building, lying nea
the shore, and not far from the mair
road. AT first he thought he would ring
the bell and give warning; but when h,
reached the door he changed his mind
This might not, after all, be the hous,
the men were talking about; and, evel
if it were, who would believe his story
No, he must watch and wait for furthe
developments. He withdrew, and 50
down ON the ground behind some shrub
berry. As time passed on and nothing
happened to break the monotony of hi
vigal, his excitement subsidized, and h
began to feel sleepy.
General was Just thinking it was al
foolshness on his part, and that he nigh
as we'll lie down under the shrubbery anC
take nap, when dark form glidcC
through the yard, and disappeared rounC
the corner of the house. 1t looked lik
a man with pack on his back.
General crept out of the shrubbery
and stole softly after him, keeping clos
to the wall of the house. His plan was t
ring the door bell loud and long, as 500
as he discovered anything amiss; but h
would not do that till he was sure ther
was cause for alarm.
General followed him quietly at a saf
distance. Once the man stopped sud
denly aud looked back as if he hear,
something. With beating heart, Genera
pressed close against the wall and stoo,
motionless until the stranger passed o.
again. lie turned another corner whic
brought him on the side toward tn
water, laid down his mysterious burden
and walked toward the shore, wher
there was Il small wharf to which two o
three rowboats were fastened. Her
another man joined him.
He, too, carried something, which tn
first took from him, and, after fey
whispered words, brought to the sam
place where he had left his own bundle.
Generals interest was now mucl
greater than his alarm. He could not sc
that the men were doing any harm. VIII
did they not try a door or window,
they wished TO commit robbery!
Yet there was something about thei
conduct that he did not understand
They evidently did not wish to be see
or heard, and General had his suspicion
that it would go hard with him were h
discovered.
There was large tree few yards dis
tant, which he thought would afford
safe retreat; but he dared not cross tn
I lot laef of tho a